I’m Not Crazy, I Just Like Noise | Moms

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I think that if I had not decided to be a chiropractor, I would have been a daycare provider. I spend a lot of time shuttling other kids, along with my own, to and from school.

Our school recently instituted an after school security pick-up system in which each family is assigned a number. Those picking up must produce the numbers for the kids they are retrieving and a school employee plugs them into a computer system that tells the teachers to release the kids. On Monday, I pulled out two paper numbers along plus showed another two numbers on my phone corresponding to the children I was getting from school (totaling six children and yes, half are still mine). The gentleman monitoring school pick up has gotten used to me fumbling around trying to locate all the numbers on my phone. This time he asked, “Are you really nice or just really crazy?” I would like to say nice but I may be a little on the crazy side. The way I look at it is, if I am already heading that way, why not have a car full and make it worth the trip? My husband may not feel the same way, as he is responsible for the car load two times a week, but he obliges his wife without argument.

I also have a tendency to offer to watch other people’s children; friends, patients, classmates and even strangers. Now that all of my children are in school, I like the company on Mondays when I have the day off. The babies are especially fun to cuddle and the toddlers to play with. The extra children on a weekend, evening or holiday when my kids are home is more like a playdate. Besides, I have a responsible 13-year-old that does most of the work and all I need to do is feed them and occasionally referee when there is an argument.

So why would I offer to watch everybody else’s children and haul them around when I have four of my own to deal with? We have no family in Greeley or even remotely close. Some of the families I help out are in the same situation. Another family has small children, and I know how difficult it is to get the school-aged children ready in the morning then add an infant and toddler.

I also think of it as good karma. As we have been finishing Sophia’s bedroom, one of the fathers was able to come over and help Erik get the door installed. One of the other mothers is always willing to switch her schedule around to help me out in a pinch. Not only that, but she is willing to take all four of my children if Erik and I are going out of town for a conference.

Also, I really think I love having all the extra kids around and in the car because of the noise. There are days when the constant noise in the van drives me crazy, but some days the chaos brings a smile to my face. Listening to the sweet voices singing, the conversations exchanged between the children, and the stories the children share (parents, if you only knew what stories your children were telling, you may be embarrassed) makes all the noise more welcoming.

Dr. Patricia Sorbo is a Chiropractor who specializes in pediatric care and a mother of 4. Patricia's bio is here.